Lifecycle FAQ—Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is a component of the Windows operating system and follows the Lifecycle Policy for the product on which it is installed. A component is defined as a set of files or features that are included with a Microsoft product, whether it is shipped with the product, included in a product service pack or update, or later made available as a web download for the product.

The Microsoft Lifecycle policy continues to provide a minimum of five years of Mainstream Support and a minimum of five years of Extended Support for Business and Developer products, and the Windows operating system.

Compared with older versions of Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer 11 offers improved security, increased performance, better backward compatibility, and greater support for modern web technologies. Microsoft encourages customers to upgrade and stay current with the latest browser for a faster, more secure browsing experience.

Beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system receives technical support and security updates, as shown in the following table:

Windows Desktop Operating Systems

Internet Explorer Version

Windows Vista SP2 *

Internet Explorer 9

Windows 7 SP1

Internet Explorer 11

Windows 8.1 Update

Internet Explorer 11

Windows 10**

Internet Explorer 11

*Since January 12, 2016, Windows Vista SP2 has reached end of support.

**Windows 10 features Microsoft Edge, a faster, more productive way to browse the web. Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Edge as your default browser, and supports Internet Explorer 11 for backward compatibility.

Windows Server Operating Systems

Internet Explorer Version

Windows Server 2008 SP2

Internet Explorer 9

Windows Server 2008 IA64 (Itanium)

Internet Explorer 9

Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Internet Explorer 11

Windows Server 2008 R2 IA64 (Itanium)

Internet Explorer 11

Windows Server 2012

Internet Explorer 10

Windows Server 2012 R2

Internet Explorer 11

Windows Embedded Operating Systems

Internet Explorer Version

Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS) *

Internet Explorer 7

Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (WES09)

Internet Explorer 8

Windows Embedded POSReady 2009

Internet Explorer 8

Windows Embedded Standard 7

Internet Explorer 11

Windows Embedded POSReady 7

Internet Explorer 11

Windows Thin PC

Internet Explorer 11**

Windows Embedded 8 Standard

Internet Explorer 10

Windows 8.1 Industry Update

Internet Explorer 11

*Since January 12, 2016, Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS) has reached end of support.

For customers running on an older version of Internet Explorer, such as Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), we recommend customers plan to migrate to one of the above supported operating systems and browser combinations by January 12, 2016.

Products whose lifecycle ended on or before January 12, 2016 were not impacted and therefore are not represented in the table. For example, support for Windows 8 and Windows Embedded 8 Industry ended on January 12, 2016, therefore they are not listed. Similarly, support for Windows Server 2003 ended on July 14, 2015, and therefore was not impacted and not listed.

Internet Explorer is a component of the Windows operating system and the most current version will continue to follow the specific lifecycle policy for the operating system for which it is installed. To find the lifecycle dates for all operating systems, search the Microsoft Lifecycle Database here.

On Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is a safer, faster, more productive way to browse the web. Microsoft Edge can be configured to fall back to Internet Explorer 11 for sites that need backward compatibility. Because Internet Explorer 11 is supported on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10, upgrading to Internet Explorer 11 can help ease Windows 10 migrations.

Upgrading web apps to modern standards is the best long-term strategy, but customers can use the backward compatibility in Internet Explorer 11 to upgrade web apps on their own schedules. For more information, see TechNet.

Yes, Internet Explorer 11 is the last major version of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 11 will continue receiving security updates and technical support for the lifecycle of the version of Windows on which it is installed.

The latest version of Internet Explorer will continue to follow the component policy. This means that it follows the support lifecycle, and is supported for as long as the Windows operating system for which it is installed is supported. Focusing support on the latest version of Internet Explorer for a supported Windows operating system is in line with industry standards.

Most customers are already using the latest version of Internet Explorer for their respective Windows operating system. However, some fragmentation still poses problems for web developers and support staff. We recommend that customers upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 in order to experience increased performance, improved security, better backward compatibility, and greater support for modern web technologies. Upgrading to Internet Explorer 11 can also help ease migrations to Windows 10, because Internet Explorer 11 is supported on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

Customers had until January 12, 2016, to upgrade their browser after which time the previous versions of Internet Explorer reached end of support. End of support means there are no more security updates, nonsecurity updates, free or paid assisted support options, or online technical content updates.

Upgrading web apps to modern web standards is the best long-term solution, but customers can use the backward compatibility in Internet Explorer 11 and upgrade web apps on their own schedules. As some web apps were written for earlier versions of Internet Explorer, Microsoft introduced backward-compatibility features and resources to help customers upgrade to Internet Explorer 11. For guidance and upgrade resources, please visit TechNet here.

In order to ease the migration to Internet Explorer 11, Enterprise Mode offers better backward compatibility and enables customers to run many legacy web applications. To help customers who have a business need for using Internet Explorer 11 with Enterprise Mode, Microsoft is committed to supporting Enterprise Mode as a feature of Internet Explorer 11 through the duration of the operating system's lifecycle, helping customers extend existing web application investments as needed. As an example, Windows 7 SP1 running Internet Explorer 11 with Enterprise Mode will be supported through January 14, 2020.

Microsoft will release security updates only for the latest version of Internet Explorer for each Windows operating system. Customers must install the latest version of Internet Explorer to update the Internet Explorer runtime DLLs, receive updates, and to remain in a supported configuration.

If customers need an update to the Internet Explorer runtime DLLs, they must install the latest version of Internet Explorer (IE 11) to update the runtime DLLs. After doing so they will continue to receive security updates.